Spyders riding in groups with motorcycles?

[Ken613834]

This is likely a bit of a crazy question so please chip in if anyone has recommendations;

1. Last year I rode a great deal with Members of my club on large group rides. None had Spyders.
2. This year I have replaced my motorcycle with a 2014 RT Ltd but I cannot ride it until April due to the snow and now I have the only Spyder in the group...ha ha...their loss!
3. I am a Ride Captain with my Club and often lead rides.
4. I do realize a Spyder is wider than a normal motorcycle and with that being the case, it is not possible to entirely maintain the left lane position while leading meaning I would be riding more in the centre of the lane.
5. We ride in staggered positions.....with a minimum of 2 seconds directly between the bike in front for safety purposes.
6. So....my question is, when motorcycles are following a Spyder that is leading, would the bike that is following in the right hand portion of the lane follow 2 seconds behind the Spyder? Hope I am explaining this properly. I suspect this will be the case, but just wanted the opinion of fellow Spyder riders who have experienced this as well as any other comments you many have.

Thanks,
Ken

[Colin]

This is likely a bit of a crazy question so please chip in if anyone has recommendations;

1. Last year I rode a great deal with Members of my club on large group rides. None had Spyders.
2. This year I have replaced my motorcycle with a 2014 RT Ltd but I cannot ride it until April due to the snow and now I have the only Spyder in the group...ha ha...their loss!
3. I am a Ride Captain with my Club and often lead rides.
4. I do realize a Spyder is wider than a normal motorcycle and with that being the case, it is not possible to entirely maintain the left lane position while leading meaning I would be riding more in the centre of the lane.
5. We ride in staggered positions.....with a minimum of 2 seconds directly between the bike in front for safety purposes.
6. So....my question is, when motorcycles are following a Spyder that is leading, would the bike that is following in the right hand portion of the lane follow 2 seconds behind the Spyder? Hope I am explaining this properly. I suspect this will be the case, but just wanted the opinion of fellow Spyder riders who have experienced this as well as any other comments you many have.

Thanks,
Ken

I think the bike following 2 seconds behind and offset from the Spyder up front will be fine. Our group rides with motorcycles on Charity Rides all the time, we try to spread ourselves throughout the group rather than ride all together in a staggered formation, as this can be almost like a rolling road block lolol. We use the same rules that you mentioned, until its time to go and play

[ARtraveler]

This is likely a bit of a crazy question so please chip in if anyone has recommendations;

1. Last year I rode a great deal with Members of my club on large group rides. None had Spyders.
2. This year I have replaced my motorcycle with a 2014 RT Ltd but I cannot ride it until April due to the snow and now I have the only Spyder in the group...ha ha...their loss!
3. I am a Ride Captain with my Club and often lead rides.
4. I do realize a Spyder is wider than a normal motorcycle and with that being the case, it is not possible to entirely maintain the left lane position while leading meaning I would be riding more in the centre of the lane.
5. We ride in staggered positions.....with a minimum of 2 seconds directly between the bike in front for safety purposes.
6. So....my question is, when motorcycles are following a Spyder that is leading, would the bike that is following in the right hand portion of the lane follow 2 seconds behind the Spyder? Hope I am explaining this properly. I suspect this will be the case, but just wanted the opinion of fellow Spyder riders who have experienced this as well as any other comments you many have.

Thanks,
Ken

Been there and done that too!

: Staggered is the way our group rides. 's take up a little more room, but they will ride either to the right of center or to the left of center depending on where they fall in the line.

: We do bunch up at stop signs to maintain the integrity of the group.

: The two second rule on the highway is good. A bit hard to do it around town unless you want to invite cars into the line. We maintain "in town" spacing where necessary.

[Ken613834]

I think the bike following 2 seconds behind and offset from the Spyder up front will be fine. Our group rides with motorcycles on Charity Rides all the time, we try to spread ourselves throughout the group rather than ride all together in a staggered formation, as this can be almost like a rolling road block lolol. We use the same rules that you mentioned, until its time to go and play

Cool....great...thanks Colin.

[3 Wheel Rider]

Traditionally, all group rides should be lead by 2-wheeled bikes. When riding in a group the lead rider should ride in the left 1/3 of the lane and all other 2-wheeled bikes ride staggered off the lead rider (Leader = left, #2 bike = right, #3 bike = left, etc.).

If trikes are in the group, they should not be mixed in with the 2-wheeled riders. Instead, they should ride behind all of the 2-wheeled motorcycles and they should ride in the center of the lane in a single file formation.

If by chance the lead rider is going to be a trike, then it should ride in the center of the lane and the 2-wheeled bikes should ride behind trike in the traditional staggered formation, starting with the left 1/3 of the lane (trike = center of lane, #2 bike = left, #3 bike = right, #4 bike = left, etc.).

Hope this helps!!!

[ARtraveler]

I also should have added:

We usually keep all the three wheeled vehicles in the same group. One exception: Three wheelers make great sweeper vehicles in a group. We usually have a max # of 8 or so in a group. Just to make it easier for cars to get around the pack if they want.

Pack riding is not for everyone and we also took special care with "newbies." We had a special group for them and both the ride captain and the sweeper were aware of the new to the pack riders. This was my idea and job for a couple years. We gave them special instruction concerning group riding safety, etc.

The group I ride with is now in its eighteenth season. There has never been an accident incident in its history. Knock on wood.

[latony007]

I agree with if your in front on your spyder just ride in the middle as normal and the guys behind you can start the stagger formation. Probably better to have a spyder up front IMO as they are more visible to oncoming traffic especially if your doing canyons. Then if you have another id have it bring up the rear. I have only group ridden on 2 wheels and its fun but there is always someone lagging behind or running up your a** but if you get a good group together it can be fun. I will be doing the socal burn ride this year on my spyder.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

6. So....my question is, when motorcycles are following a Spyder that is leading, would the bike that is following in the right hand portion of the lane follow 2 seconds behind the Spyder?

That should work, in daylight. The GWRRA riding manual recommends 1 sec behind in staggered formation, 2 seconds behind in follow formation. Double the times in the dark and adverse riding conditions.

[CMA Cowboy]

My wife was the road captain for our CMA chapter and the two wheelers took up normal stagger position behind her. The rest of us three wheels took up the rear. I normally rode tail gunner because we have Bluetooth and can talk from front to back keeping thinks smooth during the ride. Anything is possible as long as you keep safety up front in your planning.

[murphybrown]

Traditionally, all group rides should be lead by 2-wheeled bikes. When riding in a group the lead rider should ride in the left 1/3 of the lane and all other 2-wheeled bikes ride staggered off the lead rider (Leader = left, #2 bike = right, #3 bike = left, etc.).

If trikes are in the group, they should not be mixed in with the 2-wheeled riders. Instead, they should ride behind all of the 2-wheeled motorcycles and they should ride in the center of the lane in a single file formation.

If by chance the lead rider is going to be a trike, then it should ride in the center of the lane and the 2-wheeled bikes should ride behind trike in the traditional staggered formation, starting with the left 1/3 of the lane (trike = center of lane, #2 bike = left, #3 bike = right, #4 bike = left, etc.).

Hope this helps!!!

We do it exactly this way. I have been a ride captain as well as tail gunner...works well

[bruiser]

Nothing wrong with trikes leading. I'm the senior road captain for our RC and I lead quite a bit. I also ride to the left and the other bikes fall in as usual. I have also ridden in many group rides where three wheelers are interspersed throughout the group. The bottom line is the Road Captain or Ride Captain is in charge and that person sets the line up.

[Ken613834]

Great comments everyone.....thanks!

[Oldmanzues]

I see little difference in a Trike leading then a two wheeler. The ride captian should know the abilities of the group, on two or three wheels. I have ridden in the middle, lead or tail/drag. GWRRA Ride Captian.
If somebody is available and can do it, a Trike for tail or close to itcan be a help if a rider runs off the road or goes down. CB and cell phone on hand. The trike can be safely stopped where a two wheeler can not be be. like on a slant edge of road. Just my opinion, of course
Oldmanzues

[PrairieSpyder]

I have no problem with any of the suggestions.

But when a Spyder is leading, they can't always "stagger" to the left. Some roads will just kill you if they're heavily traveled and have well-worn tracks. I'll try to stagger, but end up having to ride the center, smoother area.

[Bob Denman]

Being wider; we just don't have the luxury of choices when it comes to placement within a lane...
Obstacles can be a whole lot of fun; they're tough to miss with all three wheel tracks!
(This is why I'll always choose to ride tailgunner..)

(Patti, I almost hit the "Me too" button; that wasn't!)

[ARtraveler]

I have no problem with any of the suggestions.

But when a Spyder is leading, they can't always "stagger" to the left. Some roads will just kill you if they're heavily traveled and have well-worn tracks. I'll try to stagger, but end up having to ride the center, smoother area.

You are going to get a lot of practice with tire track grooves this summer. We allow studded snow tires and they eat up the roads. You will learn the placement dance pretty quick.

[PistonBlown]

Spyders can normally brake later into the corner and obviously the entry/exit characteristics are different. This can be a disconcerting to 2 wheelers who have not ridden with Spyders before. Just something to keep in mind if your doing a twisty route.

[den1953]

Being as I'm going to transition from two to three wheels and do ride in several group rides per season this information you folks have shared will help me out. I've been on two wheeled motorcycles for nearly 45 years so some adjusting will be part of the experience. Thanks!!

[Ken613834]

Excellent feedback...thanks!

We are gearing up to train our Ride Captains soon and wanted to put together a program that introduces them to Spyders or similar machines. I am transitioning from a 2 wheeled motorcycle having ridden since the 70's, to a three wheeler. I have taken one out for a ride last Fall but have not ridden in groups yet due to the winter weather, so it will likely take some adjustment on my behalf but I am ready for it and welcome the opportunity to learn.

Additionally, since all of the riders in my Club own two wheelers, I have the "distinction" of having the only Spyder, so I guess I will "stand out" so to speak! So, just wanted to come up with the proper riding parameters to ensure everyone is aware of how Spyders handle, where they should be placed in rides, safety isssues, etc since I do lead a high percentage of our rides.

[Jeriatric]

at least a 30 second gap. There's enough going on out there without having to worry about another rider (whom I likely know nothing about) busting through my back door. If ya get my drift.

Not likely to be a popular opinion....but, it's mine.

[Marker]

Last year at our Road Captains course, it was mentioned ,discussed and agreed upon that all trikes ride at the back of the group and Spyders and trikes do not ride in staggered riding position but ride in single file. We had a motorcycle cop at our course and he agreed too.
Last year my wife took the Ontario Spyder Course at Georgian College. In the course they were taught that spyders do not follow traditional motorcycle tire track rules, they just ride in the center of the lane like a car does.
The course is sanctioned by the Ontario Government. Her final test was on a spyder and the test course was set up for spyders. She passed and has a motorcycle license with a restriction on it that she can only ride motor trikes and motorcycles with sidecars attached to them.
I am a member of CMC "Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers"
There are a few of us that ride with spyders and we all feel more safe at the back of the pack and that way if any motorcycle gets into trouble you are well out the way.

[Rockwall]

I'm the only Spyder in our club and usually ride Tail gunner. It keeps everything tight and smooth and the Road Captain can see me better than others. I think leading would be fine too, just like a Pace Car!

[jcthorne]

We ride with a number of groups. In all cases Spyder stagger too. (unless road conditions or obstructions prevent it) There is just no way to see ahead if all are riding single file down the middle of the lane. We do tend to place the spyders in the back but its mostly because if they are up front they tend to ride off and leave the leaners behind.....

[jaherbst]

Spyders can normally brake later into the corner and obviously the entry/exit characteristics are different. This can be a disconcerting to 2 wheelers who have not ridden with Spyders before. Just something to keep in mind if your doing a twisty route.

Yikes! your riding on the wrong side of the road man. Just kidding, beautiful country New Zealand.

Jack

[hdlongrod]

We ride staggered like everyone else. No problems at all!